Navigating the Semester Conversion

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Why is Cal Poly Moving to a Semester Calendar? 

In fall 2021, the CSU informed Cal Poly that the university is expected to move to semesters by fall 2025 (deadline since extended to fall 2026). The Chancellor’s letter outlined three primary reasons why a semester-based calendar will be beneficial to Cal Poly students. 

• First, a semester calendar will better allow Cal Poly to address some important articulation and equity issues. 

• Second, it will enhance student success in several areas, such as summer internship start and end dates and study abroad. 

• Third, the university can achieve greater administrative efficiency both locally at Cal Poly and more widely as part of the CSU system (as Cal Poly is currently the only university among the CSU’s 23 campuses that is on a quarters calendar).    

Read the chancellor’s full letter to President Armstrong on the  campus communications page. 

What Are the Benefits of a Semester Calendar? 

All the other CSUs and 113 California Community Colleges operate under a semester system. There are many benefits to the semester system: 

• Familiar Transition: With most high schools and the majority of the CA Community Colleges operating under semesters, the transition to a university under a similar semester system could feel more comfortable to students.  

• Student-Teacher Relationship: Since classes are formatted for longer amounts of time, students and teachers have more opportunity to foster relationships, which can lead to better mentorships and personalized professional references. Also, if a student is sick or out for some reason, they may have more time to catch up the material. 

• Shorter Classes: Weekly class sessions average shorter meeting time. The length of classes in the semester system tend to be 50-75 minutes, whereas some classes in the quarter system may be 90-120 minutes or more. Shorter classes can help students maintain focus throughout the class period.  

• More Time for Learning and Retention: The longer duration of semesters allows students more time to absorb and retain course material, leading to a deeper understanding of the subject matter, as well as more time to complete challenging assignments. 

• More Time for Breaks: The semester system offers longer breaks between semesters, providing students with more time for rest, personal pursuits, or internships.  

• Professional Development: The semester system offers longer breaks. This gives professors more time to prepare for their semester or to engage in their own research.  

• Easier to Participate in Internships and Study Abroad: The typical semester calendar aligns better with internship and study abroad start and finish dates, making it more seamless for students to take advantage of these opportunities

• Aligned with Real-World Work Schedules: Many jobs operate on a quarterly or semi-annual basis, making the semester system good preparation for the workforce.  

How is the University Supporting Students During the Conversion Process? 

• We will support students during the conversion process to semesters through communication, advising plans, summer offerings, and other programming.  

• Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, faculty, and the entire campus community are all working to ensure that students who transition from quarters to semesters have the support they need to be successful.  

• Academic Advising will be available throughout this process.  

• Faculty are dedicated to ensuring that our signature Learn by Doing curriculum and co-curriculum is preserved and enhanced.  

What Tools are Available to Help Students Prepare for Semester Conversion? 

• The Degree Progress Report (DPR) in your  My Cal Poly Portal lists the courses that you have completed and still need to complete. It will list both quarter and semester courses once the semester catalog is available (anticipated late fall 25 - early winter 26)
• The Degree Planner in your Portal is a helpful tool for planning your remaining courses, including semester terms and courses! Please use this a course planning tool only and not for confirmation of your completed and remaining requirements. Your DPR should be used to confirm completed and remaining requirements. 

• The University Catalog  contains important information on course requirements, course descriptions, prerequisites, General Education, and university policies and procedures.  

• Semester Equivalency Guides, comparing quarter and semester versions of classes, for each major and minor are coming soon! 
• Plus don't forget your CLA Advisors and your Major Advisors!

How many units will I need to take per semester term?  

Students should take an average of 15 semester units per term. That will generally be 5 classes at 3 units per class. However, some classes vary in number of units. Over the course of a year, students should complete 30 semester units to stay on track. Summer courses can help if you are unable to complete the average 15 semester units in a term. 

I was just admitted for Fall 2025! What does the change to semesters mean for me? 

Great question! It means that your first year at Cal Poly will be on quarters and your Student Center will reflect major requirements based on the quarter catalog. In Fall 2026, we will transition all first-year students to the new semester catalog. New transfers should meet with a CLA Advisor to determine if they should change catalogs, based on their transfer credit.

First-year students will be block scheduled into courses that will apply towards the semester major requirements. Please speak with an Mustang Success Center Advisor before making any changes to your schedule. New transfer students will be advised accordingly, during Transfer SLO Days.

Information on what classes students should take, not take, and a flowchart of when to take specific classes will be posted on this website in the "How to Prepare for Semester Conversion" section above.

How is Cal Poly ensuring that students are not set back by this conversion?

Wonderful question! We all need to work together to be sure there is not a delay in graduation because of the semester conversion. This means that students have some responsibilities as well as departments and advisors. 

Students should:

• Read all Cal Poly emails and messaging from departments
• Continue to review their Degree Progress Reports and our Semester Conversion website
• Meet with an advisor with questions
• Plan early for things like Study Abroad, adding a minor, or wishing to change majors

Departments will: 

• Send out important communications regarding Semester Conversion and major and course information
• Some may hold meetings for students to review important aspects of Semester Conversion

Advisors will:

• Develop and share conversion guides and keep this website up-to-date
• Reach out to groups of students who need to know about specific changes
• Offer special Semester Conversion advising events! Watch your Cal Poly email.